SAP S/4HANA Implementation

Q: What is the difference between Private and Public Cloud?

Public Cloud is a ready-to-run ERP system which delivers system best practices. It is a preconfigured solution, which means you can connect your disparate business assets efficiently, swiftly, and affordably without adding extraneous complexity . This edition was built to allow a broad range of customers to get the most out of their cloud ERP owing to its simplified UI and agile software. In comparison, Private Cloud allows you to adjust and modify your system to your specific business needs, while utilising the latest innovation and technology.

Private Cloud

The flexible, adaptable system rooted in best practices

The SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud offers a flexible solution that adapts to your organization’s needs while safeguarding your existing SAP ERP investment. With our expertise in RISE with SAP, we ensure a smooth transition to the cloud without requiring a complete process redesign. This option also caters to new customers seeking extensive ERP functionality.

Enjoy extensibility options, the ability to make modifications, and bi-annual upgrades. Let us help you seamlessly implement this adaptable and robust solution.

Key Benefits

Best Practice

SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud follows the best practices and prioritises protecting the core of the system. So, while your system is flexible, this functionality ensures your implementation and future maintenance will be seamless.

Flexibility

There are industry-specific processes which a pre-configured system might not be able to accommodate. With Private Cloud you don’t have to comprise. Your system can be adjusted and modified.

Innovation

With built-in intelligent technologies, including AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics, the Private Cloud Edition can deliver the latest innovations into your integrated business functions.

Time-proof

With Private Cloud, you are investing in a system that will grow with your business, automatically update, and continuously improve. SAP upgrades are released every two years and installed at your request.

Security

Hosting your SAP S/4HANA in the cloud means your data will be secure. The risk of data loss or breach will ultimately decrease.

Your SAP S/4HANA implementation: Your 7 path Options

Every journey to SAP S/4HANA is unique. Every organisation has different transformation goals, challenges, system background and business situation. So why should you be limited to only two migration path options – Brownfield or Greenfield?

For the Private Cloud, we offer 7 paths to S/4HANA to specifically address your priorities and business scenario.

Brownfield

Full Reuse of your ECC

1. Clean & Start

ECC simplification followed by S/4HANA conversion

2. Jumpstart

S/4HANA conversion followed by S/4HANA simplification

Selective Transition

Mix and Match

3. Hybrid

Selective migration to S/4HANA for certain areas and new implementation for other areas

4. Consolidate

Selective migration from ECC to an existing S/4HANA environment

5. Carve Out

Extract and migrate to a new S/4HANA environment

Greenfield

Full Redesign

6. Fit to Business

Launch a new S/4HANA environment and selectively transfer key custom objects from ECC

7. Fit to Standard

Implement a new S/4HANA system focusing on standard SAP processes

With CeIeRITE we address all transformation scenarios including ECC to S/4HANA migration, Mergers & Acquisitions, Cloud Migrations and Divestments & Landscape consolidations.

The Implementation: Step by Step

For some companies, the journey to S/4HANA may take place in one step, for others it will be a series of steps undertaken over a period of years. Your individual journey will be influenced by perceived benefit, budget, appetite for change, business need, wider IT strategies and Absoft is here to support you on every step of your migration journey.

Your SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud implementation is unique to you and your business, no one size fits all and every piece of code needs to be considered.
And choosing a partner who will be beside you throughout your journey is crucial for success.

Starting Readiness Assessment

3 months

Business Case
& Implementation Approach

9-12 months

System Integrator Partner & Data Preparation

6 months

Implementation

up to 12 months

Contingency

12 months

SAP ECC Maintenance Ends

2027

Testimonials

The Absoft team has some of the best experts in the industry on board, and we are proud to be recognised for our transparency and customer-centric approach. As a go-to SAP S/4HANA implementation partner, we understand how crucial your implementation is for your business. We are ready to make your journey as seamless as possible and make the most of your SAP investment.

Absoft will determine what you want and deliver that, with no fluffy answers.

Payroll & Systems Manager

Pirelli

Absoft are fast and proactive. We are comfortable with them, and they are a very good, responsive partner.

IT Operation Manager

International Manufacturer

No other SAP company could have done the lifting and shifting of part of our SAP system that Absoft handled.

Senior IT Leader

Large Oil and Gas Client

Absoft have delivered everything they were supposed to deliver, and have also overcome hurdles they encountered.

Technical Specialist

City Council

We are in awe of the Absoft team – having an appreciation of the task that you’ve achieved, it’s still hard to believe how easy you made the transition look. You have done an exceptional job in keeping us all on the straight and narrow; we work with so many IT suppliers and I must say that working with Absoft has been an absolute pleasure.

Head of ICT

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Absoft and our company work well together, and we are very open with each other. They react well to last-minute changes of scope and in addition to that, they have good relationships with customers

SAP Coordination Lead

Large Oil & Gas Client

Absoft are extremely knowledgeable, and they always deliver what they say they will deliver.

Large Council

I am very impressed at the level of expertise of the Absoft consultants. I feel that Absoft could handle anything within the remit of SAP.

Technical Specialist

Sunderland City Council

We are a family-owned business and Absoft has proved itself to be more than a technology provider. They are a trusted partner, with whom we can communicate openly and who we know always has our company’s business interests at heart

IT & Projects Director

Frank Roberts & Sons

It goes beyond technical expertise. Absoft is proactive in suggesting best practice, and we know they provide us with the right solutions.

SAP Administrator

SQA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Private and Public Cloud?

Public Cloud is a ready-to-run ERP system which delivers system best practices. It is a preconfigured solution, which means you can connect your disparate business assets efficiently, swiftly, and affordably without adding extraneous complexity. This edition was built to allow a broad range of customers to get the most out of their cloud ERP owing to its simplified UI and agile software. In comparison, Private Cloud allows you to adjust and modify your system to your specific business needs, while utilising the latest innovation and technology.

How can an SAP Partner support the move to SAP S/4HANA?

An SAP Partner can assist you with your move to S/4HANA by bringing experience and resources to your project. There are many options for assessing and migrating your S/4 system and a partner with credible experience of the journey to S/4HANA is imperative for the success of your upgrade. A cultural fit for you business is an important resource, a project that crosses many vital business processes needs to be done right – and be fit for purpose.

When is the current implementation deadline?

In February 2020, SAP announced an extension of mainstream maintenance for ERP 6.0 customers on EHP 6, 7 and 8. Maintenance for these customers has been extended up until the end of 2027, with further extended maintenance options through to 2030.

We advise to start building a business case for S/4HANA as the industry is gearing up for this shift. Absoft is well-versed in S/4HANA migrations and our teams have the skills, knowledge and track record. Speak to our S/4HANA migration experts to review your options and journey.

How does AI play into S/4HANA?

S/4HANA uses AI to enhance business processes, analyse data, and give predictive insights. SAP hopes to further consolidate this AI functionality in 2024 with the introduction of Joule, an AI assistant integrated into SAP’s cloud-based platforms that aims to provide various business solutions via generative AI that is relevant, reliable, and responsible. The assistant can analyse data from SAP and third-party sources to provide critical business insights from across different domains, such as HR, finance, supply chain, procurement, and customer experience.

SAP Joule is already available in SuccessFactors, and will be deployed across the rest of S/4HANA throughout 2024.

What are S/4HANA's additional functionalities apart from finance and procurement?

Whilst SAP S/4HANA is designed to tackle a business’ finance and procurement needs out of the box, additional functionalities can be configured by installing other specialised modules. These modules collectively cover a broad suite of business areas including data analytics, HR & payroll, and oil and gas logistics among others. Whilst an implementation of any of these modules individually is technically possible, setting them up as part of a larger S/4HANA project will allow users to leverage their full capabilities.